As we type this after purging our desks of the myriad free pens shoved into our hands at various trade shows over the months, it got us asking, “Is there a better way to swag?”
Trade shows are an important part of connecting with your audience and gaining exposure with potential new clients face-to-face. A crucial element of this process is (obviously) getting them to your booth. But how can you make sure you’re one of the most popular destinations among a sea of stalls?
The swag. And we’re not talking about yet another keychain or mug; the market is saturated when it comes to boring office items no one wants. Adding another pen to get lost at the bottom of a briefcase isn’t going to help you stand out or generate buzz that you’re the booth to visit.
Instead, we’ve compiled a list of ideas to make sure you’re a prime destination at your next trade show:
Invest (Reasonably):
We’re not saying you should go broke getting bespoke items for your swag, but there’s a happy medium between the cheapest option and the most expensive. Not only that, but investing in something quality that people will actually use shows your audience that you’re invested in them and their time—that you care about how you can add value to their lives. Go for middle-of-the-road practical items, like reusable water bottles, eco-friendly totes, or pens that won’t break after you click them more than 10 times. People will notice and appreciate the quality you invest in and the fact that they’re gaining something useful rather than something they have to lug home and throw away.
Try and Tailor It:
Again, if you want to look like you’ve put some time and effort into your swag selection, put some time and effort into it. If you’re going to a tech show, maybe go with power banks (extra points for solar) or screen cleaning kits. Even blue light glasses are pretty affordable these days. If you’re going to a sustainability show, then again with the solar power banks or reusable utensils. Finding generic yet still useful items that fit the theme of the conference you’re attending will appeal to the widest audience while still feeling more personalized overall.
Give it away, give it away now:
This one was insanely popular at a friend’s recent conference and was extremely easy and affordable to throw together. Her team generated a QR code (ChatGPT can walk you through this, and you can track for free, by utilizing UTMs) that linked to their company website. They then bought 4 Amazon gift cards, used a digital prize spin wheel, and made everyone who stopped by scan the code and provide their emails before entering the drawing. The next day, they got everyone back to their booth to announce the winners. They said their booth was one of the most popular and that everyone was very excited about the drawing. Simple, easy, and you don’t even have to buy anything to lug around.
When All Else Fails, Food:
You’ll have to verify with the event space, but when all else fails, the scent of something delicious wafting through the air is sure to get people gathered around. Amazon a popcorn maker to the event, order paper bags with your logo, and whammo, you’ve got an instant hit on your hands (not to mention a spiffy new popcorn maker).
No matter what you decide to go with, the key here is that you do something to stand out while making attendees feel considered. No one needs another pen. But if you can give them a little taste of what working with you is like—and the care and value you can add to their lives—you will have a bigger and more dedicated customer base on your hands.
